Letters

Support for students

We, the undersigned, trade unionists and MPs in the Labour movement, give our full support to the 9 November student demonstration against education cuts, student debt and privatisation, called by the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts (Report, 17 September). We believe that education is a public service, which should be owned publicly, controlled democratically, and funded by taxing the rich. The profit motive has no place in education. We recognise that the fight against the coalition government's cuts offensive is a joint fight, by workers and students, in defence of a common interest. We support students campaigning against the government's higher education white paper; we stand alongside those school and college students who are planning to walk out; and we oppose any attempt by the authorities to curb their right to protest.Len McCluskey Unite, Mark Serwotka PCS, Matt Wrack FBU, Michelle Stanistreet NUJ, Bob Crow RMT, Ronnie Draper BFAWU, Tony Benn, Mike Wood MP, Katy Clark MP, John McDonnell MP